Regional

House passes record $105.3B spending plan

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — What would be a record $105.3 billion spending plan bolstered by federal stimulus money was approved Wednesday by the Florida House, helping set up negotiations with the Senate on a final budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

DeSantis, House line up on school money cuts

NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — Gov.Ron DeSantis on Tuesday appeared to do an about-face on his initial opposition to a House plan that would shift $200 million away from school districts that required students to wear masks last year during the covid-19 pandemic.

Live Oak man facing child abuse charge

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
MCALPIN — A Live Oak man was arrested Monday night on charges of abusing a pair of young children. According to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office report, 25-year-old Dalton Cashmore punched a 4-year-old child in the mouth late Sunday morning because the child would not stop crying.
A fire that broke out early Monday morning in a White Springs home was contained by firefighters. (COURTESY)

A fire that broke out early Monday morning in a White Springs home was contained by firefighters. (COURTESY)

No injuries reported in overnight blaze

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, February 14, 2022
WHITE SPRINGS — An overnight blaze gutted a White Springs home Monday morning, but nobody was injured in the fire. Kevin Pittman, the White Springs fire chief, said the call arrived at 1:01 a.m. about the structure fire on Spring Street (U.S.
Robert Hammac (center) received the key to the City of Live Oak from Mayor Frank Davis (right). City Manager George Curtis looks on. (COURTESY)

Robert Hammac (center) received the key to the City of Live Oak from Mayor Frank Davis (right). City Manager George Curtis looks on. (COURTESY)

‘Good Samaritan’ receives key to Live Oak

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 11, 2022
LIVE OAK — When he came upon a crash with a burning vehicle, Robert Hammac quickly jumped into action. The Milton resident aided the passenger getting out of the burning vehicle at the Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 129 interchange in Live Oak, before helping free the trapped driver on Jan.

Live Oak council outlaws gambling devices

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 11, 2022
LIVE OAK — The house doesn’t always win, after all. At its Tuesday meeting, the Live Oak City Council unanimously approved the final reading of an ordinance to outlaw the use of simulated gambling devices within the city limits, effectively shutting down Internet cafes.
Former State Attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit Jeff Siegmeister's guilty plea was delayed until Monday due to issues over court filings. (FILE)

Former State Attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit Jeff Siegmeister's guilty plea was delayed until Monday due to issues over court filings. (FILE)

Siegmeister guilty plea delayed

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, February 10, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — The Third Judicial Circuit’s former state attorney has not yet pleaded guilty. A change of plea hearing was scheduled for Thursday afternoon in United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, for Jeff Siegmeister’s bribery and extortion case.